Berkeley Parents Network: Rollerblading Lessons

Berkeley Parents Network

Rollerblading Lessons

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Rollerblading Lessons

Where to rollerblade in Berkeley/El Cerrito
Rollerblading lessons

Where to rollerblade in Berkeley/El Cerrito

July 2004

I am looking for a long, flat, stretch of path to get some good rollerblading time in. I lived in LA and was able to rollerblade for miles from Malibu to Venice and I miss it. I've tried the Ohlone path, but there are too many times I need to cross streets and the transitions are really bumpy. I've also tried Inspiration Point, which is a little too hilly. I'm ideally looking for something in the Berkeley/El Cerrito area.

It sounds like the Berkeley Marina would be a great place for you to find that flat stretch of land with the added bonus of a great view! It is primarily a dog park but there are also many runners and/or bikers there too. It is a little hilly with curved paths but maybe a nice place to try out! Jill

I'm not a rollerblader, but I've seen people rollerblading and skating along the Bay Trail. You can start at the dog park at Point Isobel and head north all the way to the Richmond Marina. Marcia

Have you tried the bike path that goes from emeryville up to the Richmond Marina. From Central Ave in El Cerrito/Richmond it starts at the 580 off ramp and goes south along the highway (ok, but its highway on one side, bay on the other) and north goes more inland and ends up at the richmond marina and pt. richmond. Its part of the Bay Trail that will eventually encircle the bay. Going North from Central there are no streets to cross. Going south there are a few at the major intersections. anon

Try the waterfront path at Pt. Isabel in Richmond, at the very end of Central Street (exits off 580 and 80) that is part of the round-the-Bay trail.

The new path next to the frontage road is great for rollerblading. You can start at Gilman and go all the way to Emeryville. I typically go over the pedestrian bridge by University Ave., skate to Emeryville and back. Going up the ramp of the pedestrian bridge is really good exercise, going down is plain fun. The other path is from the Albany Race track (Costco side)past COSTCO (you can go around following the water to the Dog Park, or cross Central Ave. and continue from there. Both ways meet beyond the Post Office buildings there. You can take that trail all the way to Richmond Marina. It can be a little rough in some spots, but it is a beautiful trail. I don't know if there is a plan to connect both ends of the trail that are separated from the race track. Happy rolling. Roller blading mama

Try the bay trail that runs along I-80, on the bay side. It has several entry points, including one at the west end of Gilman Street, and seems to run from at least Richmond to Emeryville. It's smooth and flat. robin

Point Isbel sounds like what you're looking for. You can start at the dog park parking lot -- 80W to Central Ave. exit, left on Central and right at the patio furniture store (I don't know the street name - it's the block before Costco) -- and go for miles into Richmond. I think you can now go the other direction along the shoreline to Emeryville too, but I haven't tried it yet. Another, shorter, but still flat, round route is around Aquatic Park Estuary in Berkeley -- it takes my kids around 20 minutes on their bikes (I follow with rollerblades). Also around Cesar Chavez park at the Berkeley Marina is nice. Not entirely flat, but the hills are not like the steep parts of Inspiration point trail. Have fun

Try the Bay trail. The easiest place to get on it is at Central Avenue (down by Costco). Plenty of Parking at the Dog Park or right at Central and Jacuzzi Street. It can take you down to the Richmond Marina or Berkeley Marina, depending wchich way you want to go. The way to Richmond is very nice, paved trail, with a deli at the end of the trail. I see lots of rollerbladers there (I am a walker). Kerri

Point Isabel in Richmond (very near EC) is popular. David

Try the Richmond Marina - the flat pathway along the marina, or next to the bay, and you can't beat the beautiful scenery... Lisa

try the bike path at Pt Isabel. You can go towards emeryville or the richmond marina, quite a few miles, very smooth, no cross traffic, beautiful bay views. eve

Rollerblading lessons

1999

Can anyone recommend 1. Rollerblading lessons (I'm pretty good but I still can't stop!) for adults and children. 2. A good place to rollerblade 3. Rollerblading parks? Thanks.

Liz Miller is a certified "in-line" skating teacher. She teaches through the East Bay Parks dept. (I don't know their number but it shouldn't be hard to find). She's great. I took a beginning adult class from her 2 summers ago. First thing she taught was how to put on all the equipment, why you should never ever skate without all of the safety equipment no matter how good you are, how to put on the skates, how to stand up, how to roll....and on and on...and how to stop, turn, etc. We did it at Miller Knox Park in Point Richmond. They have a big concrete slab there that's nice and smooth for pracaticing on. There's also a park in Alameda that she teaches at but I can't remember the name of it. Mira Vista Elementary School in East Richmond has a newly paved very big play yard thats great for roller blading. There is a book, also written by Liz Miller on places to roller blade in California. The book is broken down into geographical areas and further broken down by difficulty of trail. I'd definately try to get in touch with Liz. Have fun. June

The Berkeley marina has a great big loop for rollerblading, but you will need to know how to stop because there are hills! Also Iron Trail from Walnut Creek to Danville, I think (this one is pretty flat). I also used to pracitice on public tennis courts at night (when they are not in use).

I took a private lesson from a woman who seemed extremely competent and professional.

Anna Stubbs 
413 Central ave. 
Alameda CA 94501 
(510) 864-8644 
annask8 AT slip.net

This is web url for summer schedules: http://www.timefold.com/mat/skate/lessons.html Rec. from Sherry Reinhardt--yes folks I did want to rollerblade before seriously injuring my ankle and may return as a senior skater. Sherry

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